Alexa Chung for MyTeresa

London Grammar: Strong

Im in love with this band at the moment.  Here is their new single Strong. 

Levi and Liberty join forces

I found these photos from the collaboration between Levi and Liberty of London. It was without doubt that  these two brands would create something spectacular and I think it is evident through these vibrant photos that that happened. 

Art: KwangHo Shin

I like art- don't ge me wrong, but I rarely see a piece which makes me stop and really look at it.   The artist KwangHo Shin did make me stop, look and think. His work is the kind that makes me try and suss out the steps they took to create the art, but also what message they are trying to convey.

 I haven't been able to find out much about KwangHo apart from the fact that his work has featured in the Saatchi gallery; I guess that means he is big bollocks now?  Anyway here is a collection of his work of faceless people.

Although these pieces are absolutely beautiful and so striking to look at (in my opinion),   I can't quite decided whether I would hang one in my home (if I had one). There is something quite sinister about rubbing someone's face out.

Sunday in London

Sunday in London from Neels CASTILLON on Vimeo.

A romantic, honest and beautiful glimpse of London. 

Book: The Independant Coffee Book London

I ordered this book from Amazon as an 'I love you' present for my parents/ out of intrigue for myself.  Because this book is so cute I thought I must share a few of it's pages on this blog.  The book is essentially a compilation of some of London's independent coffee houses.  As a huge coffee obsessive this book is a little gem. 

I am ashamed to say that I am a bit of a coffee snob.  After getting used to drinking gorgeous strong black coffee's in the independent cafe's in South Africa (namely Melissa's coffee) or the Illy or Segafredo coffee's in Valencia, I am now accustomed to the decadent rich bitter taste.  The chain shops of Starbucks, Costa and Eat now taste like old washing up water (they use only one shot of espresso).  If all was lost I would chose Nero or Pret as their standard coffee is two shots.  However, the independent cafe's pride themselves on good coffee. Aside from helping a new independent business, you are almost guaranteed a fantastic full flavoured coffee. 

As well as the cute cafes recommendations in London,  the book also informs you of coffee terms like 'crema' and 'tamp' as well as a little history lesson about coffee. I learnt that the term 'Americano' (my favourite coffee) derives from the American soldiers adding hot water to the  typical European shot of espresso during the world war.  

Please excuse my alien hands creeping in the photos- it is a compact sturdy little book, so holding its pages open with one hand is quite tricky. 

Roo Panes Burberry Acoustic

Beautiful Man, Beautiful Voice, Beautiful Setting, Beautiful Song- Just Hauntingly Beautiful.

Street Style: Aya Monteverde

Aya Monteverde is a random girl caught on camera by the Vogue Street style photographer. These photos came from the street style blog that Vogue.com have going. Like with the Sartorialist's photo's, I think this photo captures the person. Aya has such a great personal style but also has a really beautiful face. I thought that her street style photos were worth sharing as she reminded me that style is personal and that when we dress we must stick to our roots and dress how ever we feel most comfortable; even if that is a poo coloured beanie or the leopard print leggings we were told were so 2008.  If we feel really comfortable and confident, it will always look good. 

Aya wears:

Hat: Carhartt

Coat: Comptoir des Cotonniers

Shoes: Nike x Liberty trainers

Jumper: Topshop

Leggings: ZARA

Bag: Monocle

Flowers: Colombia Road Flower Market

Eyeshadow: Chanel

Mascara: Chanel

Style File: At the Coffee Shop

Boring post?  Yes probably.  But I thought I would share with you, blog reader, that I did drink coffee the other day and that I was wearing clothes.  Nothing out of the ordinary really.  I mean you wouldn't have a coffee naked would you?  

I wore:

Grey Beanie: Zara

Neon sequin grey jumper: Whistles

Necklace: South Africa

Nails: Jessica

Leather Look Leggings: Miss Selfridge

Coat: Zara TRF

Watch: Longines

Shoes: Long black riding boots by Bertie

You have probably gained nothing from reading this post.  Its not like your learning to cook a delicious healthy recipe or learning about a cool new clothing brand.  If anything this post is just to show off that I like my wardrobe and the coffee is good at a cafe called Margo and Julia's in Parsons Green. So thanks. 

Sarah X

Pour Les Garcons

Introducing to you, the covetable newbie label Pour Les Garcons.

Now you may be thinking that you have to hop across the pond to France to bag yourself one of these beauties, but don't fret.  Despite the devastatingly cool French name, Pour Les Garçons is actually a British brand.  #Hurrah!

Set up by two trendy cool kids- turned young entrepreneurs, Pour Les Garçons was created to fill the gap of the stylish, comfy and reasonably priced jumper.  - And that it has. 

Pour Les Garçons is a bit like the Yorkie chocolate bar which has the slogan 'Not For Girls'.  It's not that Pour Les Garçons is only for boys, but like the name says, the brand is "For The Boys".  This jumper was meant to be for my brother, Harry, hence the slightly larger fit of a male size Medium. But androgynous is sooo in and the jumper is sooo comfy, I just couldn't resist.

I have been wearing this jumper far too often.  It goes with everything.  Jeans- all styles (hence my green ones in this picture), long maxi dresses, tracky-bums on Sunday, cute tailored shorts (sounds wrong but looks so right).  I think the jumper especially goes with beanies- reference Cara Delevigne here. I even wore my jumper into the office the other day: I dressed it up with my leather open toe strap shoes, skinny navy chino's and chunky silver necklace.  There is little chance my brother is going to get his hands on this puppy. 

There are reasons why I am raving about this jumper besides its style factor.  The Pour Les Garçons boys have done it right.

Firstly, the logo pushes my design buttons. - I love it! The little French man, his curly moustache, the monochrome colour scheme, the quirky scribble font. - Geeky I know but you have got to agree that this is cracking design.

Secondly, the postage.  The jumper, was sent to me in this brown paper bag (see picture below).  This reminds me of the school lunch bags that Mum's pack for kids in the films. This is so much nicer than a plastic bag- not to mention environmentally friendly.

Thirdly, I love the Pour Les Garçons polite manners.  Along with the jumper, inside my cute lunchbag post was a Pour Les Garçons postcard with a thank you note. -How courteous!

Fourthly, on all of the products labels is a QR code. When scanned you can visit their website.  Even the Pour Les Garçons label is smart. 

I have had to part ways with my Pour Les Garçons jumper for a day as it is due a wash.  I will follow the instructions of 30 degrees and an air dry. 

This brand is set to be BIG NEWS.  You know how people rarely comment on clothes?  I actually received three 'I like that jumper where can I get one' comments in one day.

Be ahead of the trend and treat yourself to a Pour Les Garçons jumper. The brand also does beanies and t-shirts. Visit either their Facebook page or their website. 

Do it- For The Boys...

Style File: Teddy in London

You may have met Teddy before, here.  Teddy is my old university friend. He is also incredibly stylish.  I caught up with Teddy in London last week, which was such a treat.  We did the cultured posh-totty thing we always talked about doing when we were in Leeds- visited the Saatchi gallery in Chelsea, Duke of York Square.   This is the same gallery I saw the Chanel Little Black Jacket exhibition.  The Saatchi gallery is fantastic; it's free, it's quirky and it's in a really nice part of London. 

Teddy adhere's to a quintessentilly British style: the Barbour-esque jacket, the tartan scarf, the Raybans and quirky old vintage shoes.

Music: Indiana

Every so often ELLE magazine has a page where it recommends new, and up-and-coming music.  This is one page I always fold down the corner and make sure I follow their words of music wisdom.  If you read ELLE magazine and come across this, I advise you to do the same and check out what they have to say because 90% of the artists on that page have gone down a treat with me.  One of the artists which I am loving at the moment is a quirky blonde girl called Indiana.  Her music is 'raw', thought provoking, and edgy all in one.  

All of Indiana's songs I have listened to so far have been great.  This is the one that is stuck in my noggin at the moment though.  Its a grower , so listen to it a few times, give it a few days then listen to it again.  It will resonate with you ten times more that way. I hope you like it too! X

Photography: Pigeon Lady of London

On Thursday I took my pretty, big, proper, grown-up Olympus-pen camera to London. Walking through St James park, I came across this lady who was feeding the pigeons. Who wouldn't be intrigued by a woman who doesn't mind have pigeons fluttering in her face.  Personally this is my worst nightmare: flying rats all up in your grill. A pigeons got to eat though, and it seems this is the woman to help them out. 

Bluey Robinson

I discovered this singer on YouTube. He is talent.  Have a listen to him jamming live on the streets of London with his acoustic guitarist.  Get ready to clap, bob and smile... Bluey Robinson.

Style File: Elena Perminova

Elena Perminova is a Russian designer and style icon. I reckon she is best friends with Miroslava Duma and is in the "Russian Mafia" of the fashion week crowd- but thats just me guessing the friendship groups and politics I've been feed through the media about who attends fashion week.  I found these photos on ELLE magazines website and thought she looked fantastic. So why not share her glorious taste in clothes?

Coat: Helen Yarmack

Jeans: H & M

Shoes: Balenciaga

Sunglasses: Wooden

Earring: Repossi

Boots: Balenciaga

London Street Style

Just a cheeky bit of London street style...

I know they both look great... but dont be fooled!  The Vogue street style photographer is obviously keeping tabs where the fashion crowd are as these two are both models!- So not your everyday Suzy Smith...

Source Vogue.com

Belts belts belts: J D Solis

As I am British, and a little bit posh I thought I would share a timeless and rather stylish superbly English present idea for your hubby, brother, dad or boyfriend- it is valentines day coming up after all. 

"The J D Solis belt, is inspired by the history, heritage and style of Polo. By combining the classically stylish leather featured in the horse’s saddle and rider’s boots, with the colourful team jerseys, we have embodied the effortless style and character of Polo, allowing you to take it with you, wherever you go."

"The belts are made with woven rope and saddle leather enabling us to produce a belt that is timelessly stylish whilst being extremely comfortable around the waist. The belts also have no holes, the pin slots anywhere through the weave, meaning that you will never have to put up with a belt that is too tight or loose ever again"

So here are the beautiful quality belts:  I think my favorite is the burgandy "havana" belt as I think the colour really compliments the tan leather buckles: it's also more valentine-sy.  But you choose. . . .

Bluejay

Havana

Orchid

Patagonia